The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of post-partum (PP) periods of different lengths on super-stimulatory and super-ovulatory responses, as well as the number and quality of embryos in Simmental cows. Fifty cows were divided into five groups based on their PP days, including 50 - 60 days (n = 5), 61 - 90 days (n = 17), 91 - 120 days (n = 9), 121 - 150 days (n = 9), and 151 - 420 days (n = 10). On a random day of the estrous cycle, all follicles larger than 5.00 mm on the ovaries were aspirated and a progesterone-releasing device was inserted into the vagina of all donors. Approximately 36 hr after follicle aspiration, all cows were administered 500 µg of follicle-stimulating hormone in decreasing doses, twice daily for 6 days. Ovaries were evaluated using trans-rectal ultrasonography during human chorionic gonadotropin treatment and after embryo collection to assess follicles and corpora lutea, respectively. Super-stimulatory and super-ovulatory responses, as well as embryo yield and quality were found to be similar among cows in the PP days groups of 61 - 90, 91 - 120, 121 - 150, and 151 - 420. However, the embryo recovery rate and mean number of transferable and freezable embryos were adversely affected in cows at 50 - 60 days PP. The findings of our study suggested that day 60 PP served as a threshold for in vivo embryo production in Simmental cows.

This study aimed to investigate the impact of the female- to-female effect on the fertility traits of does outside the breeding season. In the control group (n= 16 does, 3 bucks), progestogen-containing vaginal sponges were inserted into the does for 11 days, followed by the administration of 500 IU of eCG upon sponge removal. Matings were completed within 36 h after sponge removal. The mated does in the control group were immediately introduced to the female effect group. The does in the female effect group (n= 16 does, 3 bucks) did not undergo any medical procedures. Ultrasound examinations for pregnancy were conducted 30 to 35 days after mating and births were monitored to determine the number of offspring. The control group had a higher estrus rate compared to the female effect group P<0.005). The pregnancy, kidding, and abortion rates in the control and female effect groups were similar (P>0.05). Goats in the female-influence group tended to have a higher multiple birth rate (P=0.059) and numerically higher fertility and litter size compared to the control group, but the differences were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Considering these data, it is concluded that using the female- influence group can induce fertile estrus in goats outside the breeding season, but further studies using larger numbers of goats are needed to compare this method with hormonal methods.

The present study was conducted at four different farms in Diyarbakır during the transition period (1.5 to 2 month before breeding season). A total of 306 Awassi ewes were divided into four groups before the study. All groups were treated with a progesterone sponge for 12 days, PGF2α on two days before sponge removal, 600 IU eCG on sponge removal day and 150 IU hCG on the day of mating. The control group of ewes (n= 91) did not receive any additional treatment. The ewes in vitamin group (n= 61) were treated twice with Beta (β) carotene + vitamin E on 7 days before the sponge insertion and the day of mating. The ewes in hCG group (n= 74) were treated with 150 IU hCG on day 12 after mating. The ewes in vitamin + hCG group (n= 80) were treated with β-carotene + vitamin E and hCG. Ewes standing to be mounted were considered in estrus and mated. Diagnosis of pregnancy was made by ultrasonography on the 30th day after mating. In control, hCG, vitamin, and vitamin + hCG groups, estrus, pregnancy, lambing, fecundity and multiple birth rates were similar (P>0.05). It was concluded that the treatments with vitamins (β-carotene + vitamin E), hCG or both, in addition to estrus synchronization during transition period in Awassi ewes did not significantly improve the fertility parameters.

Improving spermatological quality in frozen ram semen is very important for the development and dissemination of artificial insemination in sheep. For this purpose, researchers have added many substances in various proportions to sperm extenders and investigated the effects of these substances. The presented study compares the protective effects of adding Trehalose, Iodixanol, and EDTA, both individually and in different combinations, to the diluent for freezing ram sperm. The study concluded that; (1) trehalose, iodixanol or EDTA significantly contribute to the preservation of the functional and morphological integrity of spermatozoa, (2) while the addition of iodixanol or EDTA alone to the basic extender failed to increase total and progressive motility after thawing, when used together they produced a synergistic effect and significantly increased total motility, (3) the use of trehalose, iodixanol and EDTA together at appropriate concentrations or the addition of 5% iodixanol or 1.5 g/L EDTA alone to the extender increased spermatozoon persistence after thawing.

Giriş: İnfertilite çiftleri ve toplumu birçok açıdan olumsuz etkileyen ve gittikçe yaygınlaşan bir sağlık problemidir. Bu problemlerin %30-40’ının erkek kaynaklı olduğu tahmin edilmektedir. Farklı derecelerde infertilite problemi olan erkek bireyler ile normal sperm sayısı ve konsantrasyonuna sahip bireylerde (normozoospermi) doğal öldürücü (Natural Killer: NK) hücre aktivitesinin değişip değişmediğinin belirlenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Gereç ve Yöntem: Sperma analizleri sonucu oligozoospermi, şiddetli-oligozoospermi, oligoastenoozospermi, azoospermi ve idiopatik olduğu belirlenen bireyler ile normozoospermi teşhisi konan bireylerden (n:120) alınan kan numunelerinden NK hücre aktiviteleri ölçüldü. Bulgular: Yapılan ölçümler sonucunda normozoospermi grubu en düşük değer (544.46 pg/ml) alırken şiddetli oligozoospermi grubundan en yüksek değer (1005.90 pg/ml) alınmıştır. NK hücre aktivitesi ise oligozoospermi, oligoastenozoospermi, azoospermi ve idiyopatik gruplarda sırasıyla 797.60 ± 428.55 pg/ml, 905.34 ± 430.60 pg/ml, 757.66 ± 541.16 pg/ml ve 639.44 ± 385.50 pg/ml olarak ölçüldü. Şiddetli oligozoospermi grubu ile diğer gruplar arasında NK aktivitesi farkı önemli (p0.05). Sonuç: İnfertilite derecesi şiddetli oligozoospermi olan bireylerde NK hücre aktivitesinin normozoospermi, oligozoospermi, oligoastenozoospermi, azoospermi ve idiopatik gruplarından daha yüksek olduğu belirlenmiştir.

This study was performed to investigate the effect of beta carotenevitamin E and hCG treatments alone or a combination of both on fertility in estrus synchronized Awassi ewe lambs.A total of 103 Awassi ewe lambs were divided into four groups before the study.Lambs were treated with a progesterone sponge for 12 days, PGF2α two days before sponge removal, 600 IU PMSG on sponge removal day, and 150 IU hCG on the day of mating.The control group (n: 25) did not receive any additional treatment.The Vitamin group (β carotene + vitamin E) (n: 26) was treated twice with vitamin combination.The first treatment was on the 7 th day before the sponge insertion and the second treatment was on the day of mating.The hCG group (n: 24) was treated with 150 IU hCG on day 12 after mating.The HCG + vitamin group (n: 28) was treated with both β carotene-vitamin E and hCG.Ewe lambs standing to be mounted were considered in estrus and mated.Pregnancy was determined by ultrasound the 30 th day after the mating.There were no significant differences between the control and hCG, vitamin and hCG + vitamin groups concerning estrus, conception, lambing, abortion, twinning, fecundity rate, and litter size (P>0.05).It was concluded that the treatments with βcarotene-vitamin E and hCG or both, in addition to estrus synchronization out of the breeding season in Awassi ewe lambs did not improve the investigated fertility indices.

Since their reproduction is seasonal, goat lambs can not mate before the breeding season begins, even if they have reached breeding maturity. This situation leads to economic losses for farmers. Estrus synchronization with progesterone and PMSG combination is widely practiced to produce off-season heat. However, different applications are made regarding the dose and timing of PMSG. In the study, the effects of PMSG (500 IU) administration at two different times on estrus and pregnancy rates and the number of offspring were investigated in estrus-synchronized goat lambs. Twenty three kilis goat lambs 13-15 months old that had never mated before were treated (out of season) with a progesterone sponge (20 mg flugestone acetate) for 11 days and 250 mcg PGF2α two days before sponge removal. While PMSG was applied to lambs in group 1 (n:11, hour -48 group) two days before sponge removal, it was applied to lambs in group 2 (n:12, hour 0 group) on the day of sponge removal. Goat lambs standing to be mounted were considered in estrus and mated. All goats in both groups showed estrus. The pregnancy (lambing) rate (54.6% vs. 25.0%, respectively, P>0.05) and total number of offspring (7 vs. 3, respectively, P>0.05) of the 1. (hour -48) group were found numerically higher than the 2. (hour 0) group, but the differences between groups were not statistically significant. Considering the economic values of numerical increase in the pregnancy rate and the total number of offspring, it was concluded that it may be more beneficial to apply PMSG 48 hours before the sponge removal rather than at the time of sponge withdrawal out of the breeding season in Kilis goat lambs.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the electromagnetic field (EMF) generated by 10 kV (50 Hz) high voltage line on the epididymal sperm characteristics and the protective effects of ganoderma lucidum (GL) and melatonin (M) in EMF exposed male rats. Materials and Methods: In this study, 64 Wistar rats were divided into 8 groups (n= 8). Rats in 26-day and 52-day experiment groups were exposed to EMF for 8 hours daily during 26 and 52 days respectively. Rats in EMF+GL-26 and EMF+GL-52 groups were treated with GL by oral gavage 20 mg/kg daily and rats in EMF+M-26 and EMF+M-52 groups received M 10 mg/kg daily during experiments. At the end of experiments, all rats were sacrificed and epididymal sperm concentration, motility and morphology were evaluated. Results: In the 26-day experiment, sperm motility of the control group were significantly lower than all groups (P<0.05). In the 52-day experiment, the EMF+GL52 group had the lowest tail and total morphologic defect rates and the differences between this group and EMF52 and EMF+M52 groups were significant. Conclusion: Our data demonstrated that; (1) EMF exposure can have different effects on sperm quality according to duration of exposure, (2) treatment of GL in rats exposed to EMF for 26 or 52 days increased sperm concentration and reversed negative effect of EMF on sperm morphology, respectively and (3) treatment of M in rats exposed to EMF for 26 or 52 days had negative effects on sperm concentration and sperm morphology, respectively.

Araştırma, Diyarbakır ilinde üreme mevsimi dışında İvesi ırkı 237 koyun üzerinde yürütüldü. Östrus senkronizasyonu yapılan koyunlar suni tohumlama işleminden hemen önce vajina tabanındaki servikal mukus (SM) miktarına göre “yok” (n= 25), “az” (n= 79) veya “bol” (n= 133) olarak sınıflandırıldı. Koyunlar östrustan 12-18 saat sonra intra-servikal yolla 200×106 motil spermatozoa içeren taze-sulandırılmış sperma ile tohumlandı. Gebelik oranları, suni tohumlamadan (ST) 30-40 gün sonra ultrason aracılığı ile belirlendi. Çara durumuna göre “yok”, “az” ve “bol” olarak sınıflandırılan koyunların gebelik oranları sırasıyla %36.4, %50.6 ve %45.1 olarak bulundu (p>0.05). Çalışmamızdan; İvesi koyunlarda ST öncesinde vajinadaki SM miktarının gebelik oranlarını istatistiksel olarak önemli düzeyde etkilemediği sonucu çıkarılmıştır. Ancak SM miktarına göre “yok” ve “az” olarak sınıflandırılan koyunların gebelik oranları arasında kayda değer sayısal farklılığın olması, SM miktarının fertiliteyi etkileme potansiyelinin olabileceğine işaret etmektedir. Bu nedenle daha fazla koyunun dahil edildiği yeni çalışmalara ihtiyaç bulunmaktadır.

The primary aim of the study was to investigate whether iodixanol and trehalose would have a synergic effect on the cryosurvival of electroejaculated ram semen. Tris-based diluter was used to prepare 9 different extenders by the addition of iodixanol or trehalose alone or varying combinations of these substances. Diluters were prepared as follows: Tris (control), Io5 (5% iodixanol), Tr25 (25 mmol/L trehalose), Tr50 (50 mmol/L trehalose), Tr50 + Io1.25 (50 mmol/L trehalose and 1.25% iodixanol), Tr50 + Io2.5 (50 mmol/L trehalose and 2.5% iodixanol), Tr50 + Io5 (50 mmol/L trehalose and 5% iodixanol), Tr25 + Io5 (25 mmol/L trehalose and 5% iodixanol) and Tr12.5 + Io5 (12.5 mmol/L trehalose and 5% iodixanol). Supplementation of the freezing extender with trehalose or iodixanol alone supported the protection of both morphological and functional integrity of ram spermatozoa and total motility at 1 and 4 hr post-thawing respectively. However, beyond these positive effects, the combination of trehalose (25 mmol/L) and iodixanol (5%) significantly increased post-thaw sperm longevity and motion properties at the end of 4-hr incubation. The results of the study clearly showed that there was positive synergic effect of iodixanol and trehalose on cryosurvival of ram semen.

The aim of the study was to evaluate effects of presence or absence of a dominant follicle (DF) estimated by a single ultrasound examination at the time of follicular aspiration (FA) on superstimulatory and superovulatory responses and embryo production in lactating Simmental cows. At random stages of the estrous cycle, the ovaries of cows (n=42) were examined by transrectal ultrasonography (US) and all follicles >= 3 mm were counted. Donors with <10 follicles 3-8 mm in diameter were considered to have a dominant follicle (group DF+; n=30), while donors >= 10 small follicles 3-8 mm were classified as having no dominant follicle (group DF-; n=12). Just after US examination, all cows were subjected to ultrasound-guided transvaginal aspiration of all follicles >= 5 mm and a progesterone-releasing device was placed in the vagina.Thirty-six h after FA, all cows were superstimulated with FSH, which was given as twice-daily injections over 6 days. Cows were pre-treated with a single dose of 400 IU of eCG 24 h before the start of FSH treatments. It was concluded from this study that the presence of a DF estimated by a single ultrasound examination at the time of FA effects negatively the superstimulatory and superovulatory responses, fertilization rate and embryo quality (P<0.05) but not the number of embryos collected. It was also concluded that estimation of a dominant follicle by a single ultrasound examination at the time of follicular aspiration based on the number of small follicles may be used the selection of potential donor cows and can significantly contribute to improvements in superstimulatory and superovulatory responses and embryo quality.

The present study evaluated follicular superstimulatory (FSS) and superovulatory (SOV) responses and in vivo embryo production in lactating Simmental cows treated with FSH starting 1 or 2 days after follicle aspiration (FA). The performance of a lengthened superovulation program, named 6dFSH-P36-hCG60, is described. At random stages of the estrous cycle, cows (n = 52) were subjected to ultrasound-guided transvaginal aspiration of all follicles >= 5 mm. After FA, cows were randomly assigned to one of two groups in which FSH treatments started 1 or 2 days after FA (groups FA-1D and FA-2D, respectively). Cows were superstimulated with a total of 500 mu g pFSH over 6 days on a decreasing dose schedule and were pre-treated with a single dose of 400 IU of eCG 24 h before the start of FSH treatments. Follicular superstimulatory (the mean numbers of follicles >= 8 mm on the day of hCG treatment) and SOV responses (the mean numbers of CL and cows with >= 3 CL at the time of collection) were similar in FA-1D and FA-2D groups. However, when compared to FA-1D group, the number of unfertilized ova tended to decrease (0.4 vs 1.7; P = 0.065) and percentage of fertilized ova tended to increase (95.8% vs 84.6%; P = 0.066) in FA-2D group. Moreover, the mean numbers and percentages of both transferable embryos (8.0 and 77.6% vs 6.4 and 57.7%) and freezable embryos (5.3 and 51.5% vs 3.5 and 31.1%) were numerically higher in FA-2D group than FA-1D group. The results of the study suggest that starting a lengthened superovulation programs in Simmental cows 2 days after FA has potential to increase percentage of fertilized ova and the number of transferable and freezable embryos, although new studies may be needed to confirm this findings. (C) 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Synchronization of donor cells and activation of the reconstructed oocytes are important factors affecting the success rate in somatic cell cloning. In this study, it was aimed to investigate the effects of serum starvation in donor cell synchronization and ionomycin treatment in the activation of reconstructed oocytes after somatic cell nuclear transfer in Kivircik sheep. Cumulus cells were obtained from a slaughtered sheep ovaries and used as donor cells after serum starvation for 4 days (0.5% FCS; SS) or without serum starvation (10% FCS; S). After reconstruction, oocytes were activated by ionomycin for 5 min plus 6-dimethylaminopurine for 3 h (I+) or only with 6-dimethylaminopurine for 3 h (I-). All cleaved embryos (n= 44) at the second day of in vitro culture were transferred into synchronized recipient ewes (n= 10). Cleavage rates of the embryos were 37.3, 44.1, 34.6 and 44.7% in SS/I+, S/I+, SS/I- and S/Igroups, respectively. Recipient ewes had serum progesterone levels >1 ng/ml at 18 th day were 33.3, 50.0, 50.0 and 100.0%, respectively. Only one pregnancy in the S/I- group continued after 40 days however the cloned lamb (7.1%, regarding to embryos transferred) died 10 days before term due to a maternal problem (uterine torsion). The results of this study reveal that somatic cell synchronization by serum starvation and ionomycin treatment for the activation of oocytes can be omitted for the success of somatic cell nuclear transfer in sheep

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of the thiolation on the mucoadhesion characteristics of the gelatinized and crosslinked wheat starch-graft-poly(acrylic acid) [(WS-g-PAA)gc] for potential use in drug delivery via vaginal route. Thiolation of (WS-g-PAA)gc was first time realized using l-cysteine hydrochloride monohydrate (CyS) and thioglycolic acid (TGA). These conjugates [(WS-g-PAA)gcth] were characterized using FTIR. The free SH group, mucoadhesion, cytotoxicity characteristics and the mechanism of the thiolation were also evaluated. To obtain fundamental data for possible application such as drug carrier, in vitro and in vivo progesterone release profiles from the mucoadhesive tablet formulations were also determined. The results showed that, vaginal tablet containing (WS-g-PAA)gc-TGA, which has not contain free SH groups in its structure, displays higher mucoadhesion than (WS-g-PAA)gc and (WS-g-PAA)gc-CyS. This tablet formulation can also be used as a drug carrier in vaginal applications.